8 Games to Play If You Like Mortal Kombat 1

Since the release of Guilty Gear Strive in June 2021, the Fighting Game Community (FGC) has been bustling with activity, introducing many new fans to the genre for the first time, who have now become dedicated enthusiasts and eagerly follow all the latest releases.

With Mortal Kombat 1 being one of the latest releases that will surely bring in another wave of newcomers to the genre, there will undoubtedly be questions about what else they should check out if they have enjoyed the gruesomely rewarding nature of NetherRealm Studios' pride and joy!

8 Street Fighter 6

Undoubtedly, Street Fighter 6 is one of the finest releases this year, not only within the fighting game genre but overall, as it offers a wide range of game modes that make it accessible for newcomers, before captivating them and pulling them into its gripping Ranked mode, which will keep you hooked for life.

Although it doesn't have the assists like Mortal Kombat 1, it features a profound and rewarding drive system that allows you to express your favorite character through spectacular and devastating combos. This makes it one of the best options for those who love this aspect of the game.

7 Guilty Gear Strive

As mentioned in the introduction of this list, Guilty Gear Strive has truly ushered in the feeling of a new era of fighting games, bringing in many newcomers to the genre who have become lifelong fans and members of the community.

For this reason, it would be unfair to exclude it from the list, even though it doesn't have much in common with Mortal Kombat 1. However, its unique roster of characters and intuitive gameplay will certainly appeal to those seeking something more flashy and fast-paced.

6 Injustice 2

In addition to Mortal Kombat, NetherRealm Studios has another fighting game series that is worth exploring, especially if you were captivated by your experiences in Mortal Kombat 1 and have a penchant for DC superheroes.

Injustice 2 is an excellent title that provides a similar feeling to Mortal Kombat 1, without adding cameos and making the encounters a true one-on-one fight. This title is also available on Xbox and the PC Game Pass, which has resulted in a player base larger than expected for a fighting game released in 2017.

5 Dragon Ball FighterZ

If your enthusiasm for Mortal Kombat 1 comes from the crazy assists and you want even more of that intensity, Dragon Ball FighterZ might be the right game for you. However, what sets this apart is that all three characters in your team are playable, making it a tag fighting game rather than purely assist-based.

This means that you assemble a team of three fighters and during the match, you can bring one of them into play and they can support you in a similar way to Mortal Kombat 1. Additionally, you are not eliminated from the fight until all three of your characters are defeated, making it a much more intense team-based fighting game!

4 Skullgirls 2nd Encore

Just like Dragon Ball FighterZ, we have Skullgirls 2nd Encore, another tag-based fighting game with a unique feature that sets it apart from all others. It allows you to choose the size of your team, ranging from a single character to a team of three characters, with each choice having its own advantages and disadvantages.

Unlike in Dragon Ball or Mortal Kombat, the size of your team in Skullgirls 2nd Encore is not set in stone. You can choose to utilize the tag and assist system if you wish, or you can be reckless and try to overcome the odds with a "super-strong" character instead of using two "high-performance" characters or three "moderately strong" characters.

3 The King Of Fighters 15

Although The King of Fighters 15 is a team-based fighting game, it does not feature tags or assists. Instead, you choose three characters for your team and determine the order in which they will enter the fight. This makes team composition even more important than in the other mentioned games.

Some characters excel as entry characters, while others serve as great anchors, leaving the rest as potential mid-fight moderators who are excellent at finishing the battle when your other two characters fall. The systematic nature of The King of Fighters 15 can be somewhat daunting for newcomers, but the thrill and sense of reward when everything falls into place are unparalleled.

2 Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3

We would love nothing more than to include Marvel vs. Capcom 2 here, but since there is no real way to play it on modern hardware legally, we have decided to present Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 instead, as it is still an excellent tag-based fighting game with a decently active player base - at least more active than Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite.

Nonetheless, the tag and assist-based mechanics presented here are similar to the previously mentioned Dragon Ball FighterZ. You assemble a team of three characters, allowing you to call upon their support or send them into battle fully, resulting in a frantic and exhilarating experience.

1 Power Rangers: Battle For The Grid

Finally, we have Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid, a tag-based fighting game that harkens back to the days of Marvel vs. Capcom 2, delivering nonstop action with impressive characters, expressive combos, and a robust tag and assist system that functions similarly to Dragon Ball FighterZ.

The selection of your "point" character is just as important as in the previously mentioned tag-based fighters. When you bring in the other two characters, your main fighter gets a much-needed break to regenerate some health and be ready for battle again. If you are drawn to the assist-based elements of Mortal Kombat 1, you should definitely give this excellent title a chance!